Luca Bish has broken his silence on his split from Gemma Owen, just hours after the dressage rider announced they had parted ways.
Michael Owen's daughter Gemma took to her Instagram page, revealing that it wasn't an easy decision but they had split, which she believes was right for them.
However, The Mirror can reveal that Luca had been blindsided as he had no initial warning that Gemma was preparing to share the news with her followers.
In a post shared exclusively with The Mirror before going public, Luca said: "I switched my phone back on after taking some time out to clear my head, to thousands of messages and news articles about my breakup.
"I would have liked some time to process this privately but as you all already now know sadly Gemma and I made the mutual decision earlier today to go our separate ways.
"We have been on such a journey together and have made some amazing memories which I will treasure. I can’t thank everyone enough for their support for us as a couple during and after Love Island.
"We will remain good friends and I wish nothing but the best for her."
Gemma, 19, announced she has parted ways from Luca, 23, less than three months after they narrowly missed out on the final.
In a statement, she said: "To all my followers, I wanted to let you know that Luca and I are no longer in a relationship.
"It wasn't an easy decision but ultimately this is what is best for both of us right now.
"Many of you have been on this journey with us from the very beginning, and I wanted to thank you for your continued support as we start new chapters."
The shock statement comes just two days after Luca told journalists all was well within his relationship as he appeared on the TV Choice Awards red carpet - with Gemma noticeably absent.
Perhaps hinting there was trouble in paradise, Luca said, rather tellingly: "I think you're naïve to think you're going to go in there to find love.
"Listen, it's called Love Island but I never went in there thinking I'd Gemma, I went in there for a fun time, we had that and on top of that, I've met a girl that I couldn't ask any more from," he told On Demand.
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